Lecture 04
A Shadow of Divine Perfection: Art of the Italian Renaissance & Baroque
When Michelangelo was summoned to Rome in 1506 by Pope Julius II, it was to design and carve a monumental tomb. But the project was barely begun before Julius ordered Michelangelo to instead focus on the Sistine Chapel, despite the artist’s objections. This was only the beginning of an epic battle of wills between the two that would last nearly four decades.
DR. ROCKY RUGGIERO has been a professor of art and architectural history since 1999. With a BA from the College of the Holy Cross, and an MA from Syracuse University, he was awarded a prestigious Florence Fellowship in 1996. He completed his PhD in Art History & Visual Culture at the Univeristy of Exeter in the UK. In addition to lecturing for various American universities in Florence, Dr. Ruggiero has also starred in a variety of TV documentaries on the Italian Renaissance. Appearing as an expert witness for NBC News, he has also been featured in multiple series on the History Channel as well as a more recent NatGeo/NOVA program on Brunelleschi’s dome. After living in Florence for 20 years, Dr. Ruggiero now divides his time between the US and Italy, offering specialized lectures, educational webinars, and cultural events related to Italian art and architectural history. In Italy, Dr. Ruggiero frequently leads excursions and travel programs. To learn more, visit RockyRuggiero.com